Cyanoethylation of hydantoins

ABSTRACT

an improved process for the manufacture of a 3-β-cyanoethyl- or a 1,3-di(β-cyanoethyl)-5,5-disubstituted hydantoin, by reacting acrylonitrile and a 5,5-disubstituted hydantoin in the presence of a base catalyst in a solvent media composed of a secondary and/or tertiary alcohol having up to 5 carbon atoms and a boiling point from between about 80°-135° C as a reaction solvent. The alcohol reaction solvent may be used for crystallization of the cyanoethylated product. 
     The solvent media can for example be selected from the group of isopropanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, tertiary butanol, 1,1-dimethylpropanol and mixtures thereof. The process provides for obtaining high yields of pure product with the formation of a minimum of side reactions and by-products.



